Aradhana Walker-Lyons

Operations Director

Aradhana Walker-Lyons, Operations Director for the First Five Years Fund, works to drive fundraising strategies and operations for the organization. She is deeply committed to leveling the playing field for children living in poverty, and has worked for nearly ten years as a fundraiser and project manager with organizations committed to improving the lives of young children and families through early childhood education. Walker-Lyons joined FFYF after four years with the Ounce of Prevention Fund’s development team, where she served as a Manager of Foundation Relations. In this role, she managed fundraising efforts and grants to advance the growth and impact of the First Five Years Fund and several other national early learning initiatives. Prior to her work with the Ounce, Walker-Lyons taught in Chicago Public Schools and spent six years with the Chicago Children’s Museum as a Campaign and Project Manager to support major capital campaigns and the development of cutting-edge exhibitions. Walker-Lyons earned a Masters of Arts Degree in Social Science with a concentration in Anthropology from the University of Chicago and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Anthropology from Ohio University.